REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/MARKET RESEARCH FOR A COMMERCIAL-OFF-THE-SHELF (COT) WEATHER DETECTION AND AVOIDANCE SYSTEM This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) synopsis and MARKET RESEARCH. Information obtained as a result of this synopsis is for planning purposes only. It does not constitute an Invitation for Sealed Bid or Request for Proposal (RFP), nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC) is currently conducting a market survey and analysis to determine a suitable Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Weather Detection and Avoidance System for the A-10. This system will be used to conduct an Operational Utility Evaluation (OUE) of a weather detection and display system leading to a future potential procurement. OUE will be a flight demonstration and test to be conducted July -- August 1998 by AATC. OUE will test adequacy of design and suitability of product for fielding. Requirements include: Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) item for integration into the A/OA-10 aircraft; compatible with the A/OA-10 aircraft; display weather location accurately (within 10 degrees azimuth and 25% of range); display weather relative to the aircraft's position, in a heading stabilized format; cover and display a minimum of 120 degree coverage (+ or -60 degrees off aircraft heading), 360 degree coverage highly desired; range of coverage and display is 150 NM minimum, with selectable display range down to a minimum of 25 NM; functional while the aircraft is on the ground, either stationary or moving, with the same ranges and display coverage as is available while airborne; undetectable to passive collection sensors outside the aircraft; upwardly compatible with forecast aircraft system improvements such as Enhanced Global Positing System (EGI), and must not interfere with any other current or forecast on-board avionics or weapons systems on the A-10; capable of operating in a dynamic flight envelope, including temperature, vibration, and G-forces normally encountered by the A-10; all luminating system components placed in the aircraft cockpit must be Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) compatible; the system will not increase maintenance manpower or skill requirements; provide self diagnostics and error detection capability; capable of display on the existing aircraft Television Monitor (TVM), and via the 1553B avionics bus, onto a future (undefined) Multifunctional Display (MFD); capable of overlaying the weather depiction with an indication of ground track, aircraft heading, the currently selected software steerpoint, selected route steerpoints, connecting the steerpoints with a route display line, and capable of monitoring the 1553B avionics bus as the source of these items of data with no impact to the existing Operational Flight Program (OFP). Technical data and training (operational & maintenance) sufficient for test will be provided by contractor. Contractor to provide technical support for the duration of installation integration and OUE. Contractor will provide system documents for technical and operational use. No cost loan agreements for test items may be agreed upon by several contractors. AATC will provide test reports to Sacramento Air Logistics Center (SA-ALC) for use in future potential procurements. Tested item will be returned to contractor upon completion of OUE. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of a response to this RFI and the Government's use of such information. Respondents of this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submission. E-MAIL: Weather Detection and Avoidance System, ccobo@aztus.ang.af.mil.

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